· Translation: KJV

1 Chronicles 17:18What can David say yet more to you concerning the honor which is done to your servant? For you know your servant.

The setting

Jerusalem, ~1000 BC. David continues his prayer, literally at a loss for words. The shepherd boy can't comprehend being chosen for an eternal dynasty.

The emotion here: speechless wonder, running out of adequate words

The original word

yada (יָדַע) — to know intimately, experientially, not just facts but relationship

Why it matters

This is the only recorded time in Scripture where David admits being speechless

Read with care

What most readers miss in 1 Chronicles 17:18

David says 'What more can I say?' — the most eloquent king in history has run out of words

Common misconceptionPeople think David is being rhetorical. He's literally struggling to find words adequate for what just happened to him.

Bible Genome reading

1 Chronicles 17:18 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerDavid
EraUnited Kingdom
Primary emotionseeking
Literary typeprayer
MarkPrayer

Emotional genome

Comfort power60%
Quotability50%
Memorability50%
Crisis relevance50%
Standalone30%
Themes:speechlessnessdivine knowledgehumility

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open 1 Chronicles 17

1 Chronicles 17:18 comes from the book of 1 Chronicles, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is seeking, with a comfort power of 60% and a tone that is reverent. It belongs to the prayer genre of biblical literature. Key themes include speechlessness, divine knowledge, humility. Notable phrases: What can David say yet more; you know your servant. This verse is a prayer.

Your reflection

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